Obituaries

Fred LaMonica, Former Oradell Mayor, Remembered Fondly

For former Oradell Mayor, Fred LaMonica, service was the hallmark of a life well-lived. 

"Sitting on the sidelines was not an option for my father," his daughter Susan LaMonica said. "Getting involved and serving the community was something that he always stressed."

Susan LaMonica, currently serving her second term as councilwoman in Allendale, said that her father raised her to put her opinions to action.

"That was my father," she said. "He was passionate about what he believed in, yet at the same time his ability to see both sides of the same issue brought people together." And that keen ability, she said, is what made him a peacemaker in politics.

LaMonica served the Borough of Oradell as Mayor from 2001 to 2008; however, his daughter said that from the time he and her mother settled in Oradell from the Bronx in 1962, he was always involved in something.

Aside from being an active member of UNICO and the Lions Club, LaMonica was also one of the founding members of St. Joseph's Parish Council, a member of the Oradell Republican Club, a county committee chair for the Bergen County Republican Committee, a member of the Board of Education for the Oradell schools and a member of the governing body. 

"My father faced some contentious elections," his daughter said. "Some he won and some he lost, but he always kept a positive outlook."

"Even when he lost an election, he knew that it was part of the democratic process," she said. "He always taught me that you had to live with the outcome while continuing to make a difference."

Oradell Mayor Joseph Murray said that he was immediately attracted to the energy and spirit of LaMonica when he first got involved in Oradell politics in the 1980's. 

"Fred was always reaching out to help people," Murray said. "He was motivated by his love for the town and because he simply wanted to help people anyway he could."

Murray, who served on the council with LaMonica, said that he learned a great deal just by watching him. 

"What else can you say about a guy who was so great?" Murray asked. "I'm going to miss him very much."

Susan LaMonica said that one of her father's legacies is his push to shift the burden of funding the River Dell School District, a regional school district shared by River Edge and Oradell, from Oradell. Oradell was paying approximately $19,000 per student while River Edge, with a larger student population, was paying approximately $12,000 per student.
  
In May, an administrative law judge recommended that the state change the funding formula for River Dell to an 80-20 mix formula, placing the majority of the tax burden for the district on River Edge. 

"That issue was pioneered by my father ten years ago, put on the table by him," Susan LaMonica said. "This was such a contentious issue, but he kept pushing and working at it--waiting for the right time." 

LaMonica said that it was because of her father's perseverance in laying the groundwork that this change in the school district funding formula finally came about for the residents of Oradell. 

Rita Walker, who currently serves on the Oradell Board of Education, said, "Fred was a gentleman and family man in the true sense of the word."

Walker, who has also served on the Zoning Board, Environmental Committee and Executive Committed of the Parent Teacher Organization, said that because of LaMonica's deep core beliefs and values, he was a staunch advocate for the residents of Oradell.

"Fred was always there to listen to the residents with their suggestions, complaints or comments," Walker said.  "His word was his bond, while striving to do what was best for Oradell."

Walker said that even when his health was failing, LaMonica never gave up and loved to discuss politics from the local to the national level.

"He will be sorely missed," she added.

Fred LaMonica died Sunday at the age of 83. All Borough flags will be flown at half-mast this week in his honor


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here